Grammar experts, please help!

[SDFgirl]

Which is the proper letter-writing format for e-mail?

Number 1
Dear Kathy,

thanks for your message. I look forward to meeting with you on blah, blah...

Number 2
Dear Kathy,

Thanks for your message. I look forward to meeting with you on blah, blah...

Specifically, I am talking about capitalizing the "t" in "thanks." DH swears that he learned to write letters the top way because the first line is a continuation of the salutation and therefore is just one sentence.

I think it looks like a typo. What do you experts out there say?

 

[wowsmom]

It needs to be capitalized.

 

[ckay87]

If that ever was a rule, I would say it is an old rule and that most people would identify scenerio #1 as a typo.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

#2.

I've been a legal secretary for 18 years, typed MILLIONS of letters and never once considered the saluation as a continuation of a first paragraph. This is the first time I've ever heard this.

 

[RickinNYC]

Capitalize it DEFINITELY

 

[NMAmy]

The first letter needs to be capitalized.

 

[mickeyboat]

Yes, capitalize it. I have never seen it the other way, but I can see why if you really thought about it, it seems right.

 

[auntpolly]

Just as a side note - in Europe, it's done the other way. So if by some chance you are looking at a letter from Italy, for example, they'd write:

Cara Auntpolly,

ci vediamo presto!

 

[luvwinnie]

Capitalize it!

 

[MdmMim]

T

The salutation is not part of a sentence or paragraph.

 

[Chicago526]

"T" needs to be capitalized.

The only time I don't bother is if I'm emailing a friend, or for an informal email to a co-worker that sits next to me. It's still wrong, of course, but for informal stuff, I just don't care. Even so, I still capitalize more often than not, just out of habit. But for a formal or offical email, it's "T" for sure!